Togetherness is the key as Bradford Dudley Hill bid to bounce straight back

Bradford Dudley Hill, relegated from National Conference League Division One last season after failing to fulfil a fixture, have a spring in their step again as they seek to bounce straight back, 30 years on from them winning the BARLA National Cup.

The club have a new coaching team of head coach Kenny Smith and assistants Lewis Evans and Anthony Huby, who have injected a new vigour and attitude to pre-season training.

Smith said: “Firstly I have to say how proud I am that Anthony, Lewis and I have been given the opportunity to try get the club back where it belongs. I can’t have asked for more from the lads so far in training.

"Promotion should be achievable with a lot of hard work and commitment, with everyone pulling in the same direction - not only as an NCL side but the club as a whole.

"The effort from everyone, in not only training but attaining sponsorship, has been unbelievable, and if we take this type of determination into the season I’m sure it will be a successful one.”

Hill's first taste of action this year will be against a Keighley Cougars Select, mainly comprising their under-20s, at the Neil Hunt Memorial Ground on Thursday, February 13 (7.30pm).

A new committee has also been put in place to ensure everyone throughout the club is on the same wavelength for the first time in a long time.

The work secretary Andy Harland and new chairman Ronnie Smith have put in to initially keep the club stable and now put them in a position to move forward has been nothing short of remarkable, and the club's future now looks much more secure.

Meanwhile, Hill's Yorkshire Men’s League side will also be looking for a big season after being close to promotion last season.

The side will once again be coached by Simon Kenefik, who will be assisted by Scott Harland.

Hill's junior set-up also looks stronger, with the youngest team being the under-sevens and the oldest the under-15s as they look to produce the starts of the future.